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What Happens After a Person Smokes Marijuana?

From National Institute on Drug Abuse, for About.com

Updated: November 21, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: What Happens After a Person Smokes Marijuana?
Answer: Within a few minutes of inhaling marijuana smoke, the user will likely feel, along with intoxication, a dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, some loss of coordination and poor sense of balance, and slower reaction time. Blood vessels in the eye expand, so the user's eyes look red.

For some people, marijuana raises blood pressure slightly and can double the normal heart rate. This effect can be greater when other drugs are mixed with marijuana; but users do not always know when that happens.

As the immediate effects fade, usually after 2 to 3 hours, the user may become sleepy.

Back to: Marijuana FAQ for Parents

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